The (sometime) Daily Prophet

Hello, all!!

It's been eons since I've written you last. I've been in the deepest, deepest depths of Hogwarts with nary a minute to spare. I spent all of 20 minutes at my house yesterday in between two jobs, two soccer games, and a mid-week church service. Winnie loves her husband because he helps me soooo much!! Wednesdays are very busy, but I'm glad that I was able to fit in a little Snotch hunting for you all. It seems that more than just the Ravenclaws have some smarts in their heads. Very, very good job, Centy!

Okay, now for some business!

House Points

You will all notice a change in the percentages because I had to re-work the numbers. I entered the first two weeks of posting into my database wrong. Gasp!!! Could it be?? Yes, I did. Sorry about that. Let me see if I can explain what I did. Of course, this means that I will have to give you a better explanation of the points all around.

Click on image to see a larger picture

We're going to use Gryffindor as an example since they are first on my sheet. So, what happens is all houses are able to earn points through various activities. During the posting weeks you are only able to maintain or lose points based on who does not post that week. For each person that does not post that is a negative 10 points. During the Quidditch weeks the possible points include the 150 Snitch points. What I do, after both the possible points and the actual points have been determined, is divide the actual points by the possible points to get the percentage of participation. The reason that points are reflected in percentages? Because previous to this swap the houses did not have such an even population, so I had to show the percentage of participation rather than the points.

What I did in the first two weeks of posting was to add the number of posters by 10. What I was supposed to do was to subtract the number of people that did not post by 10. So, basically, Tuesday night I went through the whole sheet and standardized the numbers so that I made sure that I added everything that I was supposed to and subtract whatever I needed to. Thus, the change in the percentages. This actually lowered everyone's percentage, but it did it evenly across the board. You are basically still in the same place in relation to each other. And now, the points:

Previous Percentages

Gryffindor 74%

Hufflepuff 98%

Ravenclaw 90%

Slytherin 93%

Current percentages

1st place ~ Hufflepuff ~ 99%

2nd place ~ Slytherin ~ 82%

3rd place ~ Ravenclaw ~ 79%

4th place ~ Gryffindor ~ 75%

Dumbledore's Army Points
These points will be updated soon and posted by Lavender Ackerly. You badges will be sent out to you this weekend. Each badge will be personalized with your Potter name.
We are taking away the points for "Sending something specific to your pals tastes" because what one defines as specific another will not think so. Because that one was so fuzzy we've decided to eliminate it.

Tracking numbers
When you email your tracking numbers, please send a copy to your prefects email address, so that they can have a copy, but also to me and Lavender Ackerly at lavackerly AT gmail.com. Lavender will be entering the numbers into the database.
Why do we need the tracking numbers? For proof that you sent your package, because last term 3 packages got lost and the tracking number lets us know that your pal wasn't a flake - the post office was just inept, and in order to qualify for any of the contests that we give out prizes for, you have to have proof of delivery that your package was sent by July 11th. If you want to be entered in the Best Kit contest you will also need to take a picture of your package and send along with your tracking number. If we can't see your package then we can't vote on it.

Daily Prophet, Issue 17

Hello, everyone!! Yes, I'm alive. Life is just busier than ever. You can read about my Stitch & Pitch experience on the 'ole muggle blog. My daughter and I had fun :)

Quidditch
What a lovely game!!! I am glad that so many had such a great time! It was fun setting up all the clues. Do look for a change in the next Snotch Hunting, though. Must change things up a bit to keep that game interesting, right? The neat thing is that all the houses are so close in number that, if the snitch is found by any other house, it is still possible to win the overall Quidditch Tourney. So, keep your spirits up, everyone! Your house could still take the trophy!

Dueling Club
This is turning out to be such fun! I am quite surpised that we already have one from the sock bracket that have moved on to the next round. Yay!!

Just a little FYI ~ Round Two for the hat bracket will begin once the next two duelers make it to the next round. Same goes for the sock bracket. When we have a clear victor for each duel that has moved on to the next round everyone will begin the next round together.

The next pattern will be different from the last.

Hogwarts Happenings

With the first round of Quidditch behind us all of the students have been awarded with a trip to Hogsmeade this weekend. What is your favorite establishment in Hogsmeade?

Daily Prophet, Issue 16

Hello, all!
I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend! My weekend was fabulous :) We stayed home, but just being home was the wonderful part. I did work at night Saturday and Sunday night, but just being home during the day and able to spend that time with my family was fabulous. We actually drove like 40 miles today to get some bar-b-que from Jay Bee's Bar-b-Que down in Gardena, California. I saw it highlighted on an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I'll tell you - It was mighty tasty!

What did you all do this weekend?

Hogwarts Happenings

Your headmistress has started a character blog - Bobble Musings! Yes, I've gone and done it. Like I don't have enough to do already. When you visit there you'll find a nice little surprising change to the staff roster once again. Me thinks my students are getting a little spoiled with all the wonderful professor goodness that is going around this term.

Daily Prophet, Issue 15

Announcement Email List
There may be a few of you still not signed up for this list or you changed the email address that you want mail sent to. Please visit our Google Group to sign up so that you don't miss any important information. All Dueling Club updates will be sent through the group mail.

Dueling Club
The Dueling Club matches have all been set and the tool and gauge information is posted in THIS post. The pattern will be released this Thursday at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

If you receive your death hat or sock from your opponent before you are finished you must send the work in progress to your opponent. They will either frog what you've done and use the yarn for the next round or, if the project is completed, they may decide to keep as is or finish the project.

So, I know that I have mentioned the average finishing time for both the hat and sock brackets, but please keep in mind that some are very competitive and will try to complete these projects as soon as possible. In the hat bracket, I have no doubt that some will finish the hat that very same day and get it in the mail. Socks, of course, will take a little longer, but don't be surprised when you receive your death hat or sock in the mail.

NOTE: Lily of Flitwick - Your emails are bouncing back to me.

The bracket list can be found HERE also.

Quidditch!!
I know that we've been dealing with the whole Dueling Club sign up thing, but don't forget that the first Quidditch match begins this Wednesday! The trivia will be posted at about 7:30 a.m. PST Wednesday. The Snitch will be released during this round on Saturday at approximately 8:30 a.m. PST.

House Point Update
Here's where the houses stand before Quidditch Round One

Gryffindor 77%

Hufflepuff 92%

Ravenclaw 83%

Slytherin 86%

Hogwarts Happenings

Wisteria has taken Professor Lufkin under her wing and shown him around while he isn't teaching, so he's been rather preoccupied. I haven't read too many mishaps where he is concerned, but I know for a fact that many of you are still mooning over the infamous Professor Black who is still teaching the Potions class. I thought that I should repost his picture for the first years to ogle at see.

This week in the Care of Magical Creatures class students found that two books were required for this class? What were they? The second book is required for which year student? In your blog posts this week it would be interesting to see pictures of this book along with the mention of an animal that you found of interest while reading it.

Daily Prophet, Issue 14

Hello, hello!!!

I can't wait until the weekend when I'm able to spend a little more time visiting blogs and stuff. I feel like all I do it touch base with you all and my prefects and then it's off to another job. I hope that everyone is doing well. Again, I just want to let the prefects know what a help they are to me this time around.

Dueling Club
I wanted to take this time to explain how it is going to work. Everyone will be paired up with one person. The pattern will be released, and the first person to receive a hat or sock in the mail from their opponent will be dead. Overnight mail is NOT allowed. It must go Priority. The person who is left standing will move on to the next round. It is better if you just see THIS diagram. In the end there will be one person standing from each bracket and they will be dubbed the dueling winner.

If you have further questions about the dueling leave them in this post and I will answer them so that others may get their questions answered to.

UPDATE!
I've emailed all participants the email addresses of everyone else participating in the Duel. Please contact your current duel partner for their snail mail addy and size preferences so that you can get your gauge right before the patterns are released.

Every Duel participant should have received two emails today. The Participants Emails and the .pdf of the bracket spreadsheet.

Also, a question was posed as to what happens after you get your hat or socks in the mail. Once everyone in the current round receives their hat or socks the next round will begin and those that are left alive from round one will move on to round two.

Daily Prophet, Issue 13

My good friends!
I worked the graveyard job Tuesday night (switched with someone), went to the day job yesterday, walked into my house after coming home last night and promptly fell asleep for the next 11 hours!!! Of course, I woke up twice to go to the restroom, but can you believe it??? And in the middle of the week too! So, as I prepare to go back to work I figured that I must get the specifications out to the Dueling Club if nothing else this morning. Don't forget! The pattern will not be released until next week. Today is only for the tools.

Hat Bracket Tools

• Size 4.50mm/Us size 7-16 inch circular knitting needle

• plus dpns in same size or a long circular if doing magic loop method
  

• Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain gauge
• Gauge:
  4-5 stitches per inch

Sock Bracket Tools

• 100 gm sock yarn. Fleece Artist's Merino Sock yarn suggested, but not mandatory. Any sock yarn with 28-30 stitch gauge is fine.
• 1 set of 2.5 mm double-pointed needles.
• Stitch holder

• Gauge

  32 stitches, unstretched, across 4 inches/10cm in K3 P1 rib

Color variations on both patterns do not really matter. The hat pattern has cables, so I would suggest a solid color yarn or else it's hard to see the cable pattern. Don't worry if you haven't done cables before. It's not too hard and they are always a good technique to master :)

Note: I am adding two more names to the sock bracket. Sign ups for the Dueling Club are closed.
Laeita Khandylle Haxloeffen-Bharnoell and Abigail Zinerva

Daily Prophet, Issue 12

Dueling Club

The yarn type and needle size will be released on Thursday, May 22nd.

These are the people that I have in the club.

Sock Bracket

Madam Ferula Finnigan
Elanor Cadogan
Enna Kirts
Lily Flitwick
Cliodna Acromantula
Lucretia Plunkett
DanZaraella Daemonova
Kaaelana Lassanda Allinada
Minerva Kwikspell
Wisteria Lovegood
Jalanna Kedavra
Miranda Moonstone
Laeita Khandylle Haxloeffen-Bharnoell
Abigail Zinerva

Hat Bracket

Aurora Curlycoat
Cressida Townsbury
Queen Frysia
Electra the Enchanting
Lavender Ackerly
Cassandra Grubbly-Plank
Ursula Longbottom
Ophelia Hopkirk
Ophelia Crookshanks
Perenelle Cauldwell
Ophelia Ballycastle

~And now, a little dueling encouragement for you all~

Daily Prophet, Issue 11

Google Reader
As I was attempting to see who blogged within the last day I found myself clicking on the links to the right. Ugh!! Very time consuming. Then I remembered that last term I had taken the time to put all of the links into my Google Reader. It truly made finding the most updated blogs very easy to find. So, if you haven't signed up for that I strongly suggest that you do. You'll be glad that you did.

Beginning of Term Feast

The feast was fabulous! Because of the varying time zones we had two feasts scheduled for today. I seriously wished that I'd had my Orange Cranberry scone from Starbucks on hand. In any case there seemed to be lots of firewhiskey being passed around the morning session, while the evening session was filled with many desserts.

Items of discussion were what should be in the kits, queries about Quidditch, and Lavender Ackerly updated us on how many returning students are in each house -

12 Gryffindors
16 Hufflepuffs
7 Ravenclaws
6 Slytherins

A few funny videos were shared and, by the looks of it, the feast carried on for almost the entire day! Chatty bunch you all are! If you haven't had the chance to participate in a chat, please make the time to do so. It is such a neat part of this swap to be able to get to know the others that are participating.

Now, will all join me in singing the house song?

Daily Prophet, Issue 10

If you are experiencing temperatures under 85 degrees can you please send some of your weather my way??? California has been in the triple digits for the last 3 days!! Ugh!! Believe me, when it's winter I'm in heaven.

Contacting your Spoilee/Spoiler
This term we've added this as a stipulation to remaining in the swap. Why? Because some people had chosen not to contact their partners during the swap. This results in extreme nervousness on the part of the spoiler and the spoilee. Everyone wants to make sure that their packages will be received and that they will receive a package. If they do not hear from you the angst begins. Not only is there angst on their parts, but on the parts of myself and the prefects as well.

So, with that said. If your partners do not see hide nor hair from you within a 14 day period, running from Sunday to Saturday, you will be dropped from the swap. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, but if we don't know about them we can't help you.

Delivery Confirmation
I'm not sure if I made a blatant statement concerning this requirement yet or not. I know there have been mentions here and there, but I want to make sure that you know that Delivery Confirmations are required for those living in the States and for those that are able to acquire one for their packages. Not only will you receive house points for sending me the delivery confirmations before July 11th, but you'll also receive DA points.

Hogwarts Happenings
This week many of the first years tried their hand at the Forgetfulness Potion. This potion is required for the final exam and Professor Crispin Black thought that he would get started early on teaching this lesson. Some of the second years, however, decided to slip a little of the Forgetfulness Potion into his morning coffee because they didn't want him to remember THIS incident or the fact that he secretly had the hots for Miss Mandy, who we all know left for the States with Sir Helving von Humperdink. He was rather depressed that she left and seemed to have forgotten all about him, but a man must move on, right?

Miss Wartbobble only hoped that none of the students would take it themselves and forgot all about the Beginning of the Year Feast set for Monday, May 19th!!

Daily Prophet, Issue 9 - House Points & DA Edition!

House Points

House points earned can lead one of the houses to winning the Quidditch Cup at the end of the swap. These points are earned individually, but count towards your team - your house. Not completing the tasks needed to earn house points can cost your house the Quidditch Cup.

House points that can be earned are:

Early House Points - HSKS Advertisement by May 9th ~ 5 pts.
Linking Logo in the Sidebar by May 17th~ 5 pts.
Posting Weekly ~ 5 pts.
Quidditch Trivia ~ 20 pts.
Quidditch Picture Scavenger Hunt ~ 5 pts.
Finding the Snitch ~ 150 pts.
Emailing me Your Delivery Confirmation
Before July 11th - 10 pts.
Sending more than one package ~ 5 pts.

Dumbledore's Army

This is a way to receive a rating in HSKS. It will show other swappers what type of swapper you are. Are an "Acceptable" swapper, one that "Exceeds Expectations," or are you a swapper that is "Outstanding?"

The points earned in Dumbledore's Army can overlap the House Points that can be earned, but they are points that are yours and yours alone that will earn you one of the title's mentioned above.

DA points are earned as such:

These points can be earned each week
Posting Weekly ~ 5 pts.
Communicating with your spoilee weekly ~ 5pts.

These points can only be earned once
Including something specific to your pals likes in their package ~ 10 pts.
Completing the handmade portion by July 2nd. ~ 10 pts.
Mailing your package early - by July 11th. ~ 20 pts.
Sending all that is required in the package ~ 10 pts.
Sending more than one package ~ 5 pts.

Updated
Acceptable = 50 - 60 pts.
Exceeds Expectations = 65 - 80 pts.
Outstanding = 85 pts. or more

How will we know that you are contacting your partner? Well, we certainly do not have the time to check everyone's comments to make sure that they are contacting their partner, but it is a requirement to contact your partner at least once in a 14 day period. If you haven't contacted your partner in some way (commenting on blog posts, emailing, sending an e-card, or bumping into them in the common room), it will be up to your partner to contact your prefect to let them know. When we discover that there has been no contact the DA points will be adjusted.

Daily Prophet, Issue 8

Ladies and Gents!!!
Do you want to know how long I stared at this page before I began to type anything? Twenty Minutes!!!! Isn't that ridiculous? Your headmistress is just a little tired and needs a nap LOL

Dueling Club

In order to hold this event I must have 6 people per bracket sign up. There will be a bracket for hat knitters and a bracket for sock knitters. As I said before, you do not have to be a fast knitter, but you should be able to finish a hat within 5 days and a pair socks in 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. That is the 'slowest' suggestion. When I knit for Yarn Smack Down the average knit time seemed to be about 3 days with the fastest knitters completing a hat in 6 to 7 hours. The fastest sock knitters can usually complete a pair of socks in about 2 days. But, completing a project a day or two before your dueling partner doesn't mean anything if your post office decides to mail your package out a day late. Sometimes the post office is the deciding factor. More than anything, this is just a fun project. Don't NOT join just because you think you are a slow knitter.
If you would like to join email me with this information:

Potter Name
Bracket: Hat or Sock

House Birthdays

Last term we listed birthdays in the sidebar. It was nice to be able to wish our house mates happy birthday on their special day, so we've decided to do it again. If you have a birthday during the swap please email Wisteria with your Potter name and birthday information. We will accept birthdays that occur even up to a week after the swap is over.

Hogwarts Faculty

I know that there are a few swap participants that have decided to return to Hogwarts, not as students, but as faculty. I read someone's blog who has decided to help Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary, but I can't remember who it was. In any case, if you are claiming to be part of the faculty we want to know who you are and how you are helping here at Hogwarts. Last term Miss Mandy and Millicient Brocklehurst were visiting professors. It always makes it kind of interesting to tie these characters into some of the story telling that is sure to come soon.

Beginning of Term Feast
I would like to have two feast sessions this term. I can only host the evening feast, but I would like someone else to host the day time feast, so that some of our international students may join. So, the below times are set for the feast, which will take place on Monday, May 19th.

Day Time Feast
10 a.m. PST (10:00)
1 p.m. EST (13:00)
6 p.m. U.K. (18:00)

Evening Feast
6 p.m. PST (18:00)
9 p.m. EST (21:00)
2 a.m. U.K. (02:00, May 20)

For other time zones I'm sure you should be able to figure out if any of these times are reasonable for you by going to THIS site.

Have a great weekend!!
I will be spending time with my family and might even get the chance to visit the local Renaissance Faire on Sunday!!

Daily Prophet, Issue 7

Many, many things for this Daily Prophet.

Swap Partner Notifications
By now you should have received your swap partner notification. If you have not, please contact your prefect. Some of us have been caught up with many, many things that decided to schedule themselves at the same time as the launch of this swap. Can you imagine?? Well, things do happen, so we shall be patient, right?

Logo Points
For many of you this will be a non-issue because you already have the HSKS 5 logo on your blogs, but for those of you that don't, this next opportunity to earn house points will be your chance to get the logo up on your blogs.

The HSKS 5 Logo is another way of drawing outsiders to the swap, so that next term they may be interested in joining. Free advertisement, in other words. I know that many of you wrote up an advertisement last week, and I am extremely grateful, but putting the swap logo on your site is very important to me and the continuation of HSKS. I will get those previously earned points posted tomorrow so that you can see where your house stands so far.
So, without further ado:



The logo must be placed in your side bar and linked to either this blog or the main HSKS site. Preferably the main site, because it answers so many questions that someone might have concerning the swap. A former Professor here at Hogwarts posted a very nice tutorial on linking an image using a free image storage site such as Flickr. Please visit Miss Mandy's blog for more information. Each person will earn 5 House points for posting the image to their side bar by this Saturday, May 17th.

Dueling Club
For more information on the Dueling Club please visit the main HSKS site. Sign ups for the Dueling Club will be by email on Friday, May 16th. I will give more information about it then, so please visit the main HSKS site to see if you are interested in joining us on a crazy knitting adventure. You do not have to be a fast knitter for this game. If anything it will really help you to challenge and grow your skills as a knitter.

No Hogwartly Happenings tonight since I'm on my way to the night job. I just wanted to get this out before going to work. Have a great day everyone!!

Daily Prophet, Issue 6

The Daily Prophet journalists are resting today :) Please take this time to get to know those in your house. Visit their blogs and attend the House chats, if possible.

Hogwarts Happenings

Classes have begun for all students. Many of the first years are learning their way around Hogwarts and getting to know the professors. The second and third years are very helpful in telling stories that happened last term and warn many of the first years to stay away from Canary Creams.

Miss Wartbobble sits in her office wandering what new mischief the students and faculty will get into this time, and which house will begin the antics first. She decides that it's time to visit the common rooms. Maybe a Tea with the headmistress is in order? We'll see. . . .

Daily Prophet, Issue 5

Mailing Requirements
All U.S. residents are required to purchase Delivery Confirmation for your packages. You MUST send me the confirmation number after mailing your package. If you live in another country and are able to get some type of tracking information for your package this will suffice.

Those that email me with their confirmation numbers by July 11th will earn 5 points each for their House.

U.S. Flat Rate Boxes
Hopefully many of you know about this option, which the postal service provides. Flat Rate boxes!! Whatever you can fit into this box will only cost you $9.80 to ship, plus your Certified Mail or Certificate of Mailing fees. The joy of it is that you can get the boxes from the postal service for free. You can either order them online or visit your local postal site and request them in person. I hear that they also have a flat rate box for $12.95.



Prefect Assignments
Just so that you are aware of how we've structured things this term. Everyone has a house prefect assigned to them. This prefect will assign house quizzes, respond to questions that you may have, and act as the go-between between myself and the deputy head mistress. You will also have a prefect assigned to you that might not be in your house. The later prefect is the one that sent you your spoiler/spoilee assignments. This prefect will be the one that will be doing participation check ups if she receives a no-contact complaint from your spoiler. She will also be the one that does all the end-of-swap follow up.

Hogwarts Happenings

Over the next few days, hopefully, I will get the chance to visit some of your blogs, but in case I don't please feel free to use the comments of this post to bring particular blogs to my attention.

Hogwarts: A History II

Daily Prophet, Issue 4

Good day, students!

A few things of note this morning!

HSKS 5 Webring
We have a webring or blog ring, if you will! Please note the link to your left. The ring is a little different than the one we used for the previous swap, but you should be able to join the ring with no problems.

Communication
Most, if not all, of you should have heard from your prefects about who your swap partners are. If you haven't heard from either your spoiler or spoilee by Friday, May 16th, please inform your prefects of the matter.

Announcement List
Please remember to join the announcement list. If I should need to make announcements to all of Hogwarts this would be the best way for me to do it. Currently there are 64 members registered.

What's In The Kit?
What should be in your partners kit? We will stick to the theme of a 'kit,' so that means that even if their handmade item is something other than a bag, you will still send all of the below items:

A Handmade (by you!) item
This could be a bag, a scarf, or a journal.

New Knitting Needles
The type you send will depend on what type your pal likes and what the pattern calls for that you are sending in the kit.

A Knitting Accessory
A tape measure, stitch markers, row markers, or a row counter.

A Pattern
This could be a pattern for socks, a bag or a scarf

Yarn
Depending on what type of pattern you send you should send yarn to match. For example, if you are sending your pal a kit to make a bag, then send him/her yarn, needles, and a pattern to match.

Hogwarts Happenigs

This section of the Daily Prophet offers a story line for us to follow. Many times I will post about things in this section that will allow you to respond via your blogs. If you don't understand now, that's okay. Just watch the blogs of some of the returning students and I'm sure you'll catch on in no time.

For today I am posting the new class list and introducing a new professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

First Year Classes

• Astronomy
• Charms
• Defense Against the Dark Arts
• Herbology
• History of Magic
• Potions
• Transfiguration

Second Year Classes
Same classes as first years, but you may choose to also take one or two of the following:

• Ancient Runes
• Arithmancy
• Care of Magical Creatures
• Divination
• Muggle Studies

Third Year Classes
These are the same as the second year classes.

New Professor

Professor Cornelius Lufkin

More to come on our new professor later. First impressions are always welcomed.

Hogwarts: A History
Now, we shall commence with a short lesson.

Daily Prophet, Issue 3

Happy Weekend, students!!

Because sign ups for this term are now closed, let me take this opportunity to welcome you all to Hogwarts and the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 5! This term promises to be even better than the last with many new things popping into play. With much fun comes much responsibility, so there are a few things that I would like you to keep in the forefront of your minds in the coming weeks.

Blogging - This is an extremely important part of HSKS. You do not have to make your posts long. You just have to post. We need to know that you have HSKS and your swap partner on your mind. We don't know that if we do not see you among the 'halls' of Hogwarts. In the past some have snuck off to Hogsmeade or were captured by Death Eaters - never to be seen again. Their sudden absence would worry their house mates as well as their swap partners. Please don't let this happen to you this term. Stay close to Hogwarts and participate.

House Competition - Many at Hogwarts take the competition between houses very seriously and when their house mates do not participate in earning points for their house the competitive feel let down. There are weekly quizzes that give you fodder for posting as well as a story line that is usually carried on via the main blog, and sometimes carried over several blogs. Pay attention and you can easily be caught up in the mischievousness around here. House quizzes do not earn points for your house, but they do earn you the chance to earn one of the many prizes that will be given out this term.

The goal of this swap is to make new friends, receive a wonderful kit and, of course, win the Quidditch Tournament!!

Being Dropped From This Swap or Banned From Future Swaps
This is very important for everyone to understand. At Hogwarts we are very strict on teaching our students the importance of honorable character traits, such as integrity and honestly. We believe in a promise given is a promise to be held to. With that said

• If there is no post on your blog within a 14 day period you will be dropped from the swap. If you decide to post on the 15th day you will still be dropped from the swap. Allowances can be made, but there has to be a very good reason and communication between yourself, the prefects, and the headmistress is crucial.
• No contact + no posting = Dropped from the swap - No exceptions.
• If you do not contact your partner within a 14 day period you will be dropped from the swap. Please do not baulk! We are only asking that you have communication with your partner 2 times a month. That is not hard.
• If you do not send all the items required for your package you will be banned from future swaps.
• If your package arrives at it's destination after August 1st you will be banned from future swaps. This swap lasts two and a half months. That is plenty of time to complete your package and get in the mail so that it will reach it's destination in time.

As the swap draws to a close the prefects and I will be very active in our follow up - very active! So, the less you communicate about the status of your package the more emails you will receive from us. We absolutely hate the fact that anyone would not hold up their end of the bargain and fail to send a package or send a partial package. To encourage everyone to be diligent in getting their packages ready early we've set up Dumbledore's Army and will have several incentives to nudge you all along. This will be fun! You'll see.

Okay, that is the extent of my 'bad news - downer' messages for a while. Also, take note that most important messages will be posted here and not on Ravelry because there are a few members that found us through other swap notification sites.

Early House Points
These will be totaled and the results posted by Monday evening.

Questions? We have answers.
All of the prefects are second years with the exception of the Deputy Headmistress who is a 3rd year. So, any questions that you might have feel free to ask the prefects. If they cannot find the answer they will either ask me or Wisteria, the Deputy Headmistress.

International Students
This note is mainly for those living in Finland, Sweden, and Germany. If your name is linked to your muggle blog please write your posts in both your native language and in English. Your partner or house mates will have a hard time getting to know you if you do not post in English. Thank you!

Posting to This Blog
Everyone will receive an invitation to post to this blog between Sunday evening and Monday evening. Second years - I ask that you refrain from any word games for a while. We need to make sure that people are not missing the important messages from me and the prefects. Try to keep most of your posting on your own blogs - Thank you.

Mother's Day
I'm not sure if this is an International holiday or not, but definitely for those in the States tomorrow is Mother's Day. I hope that all of you who are mothers would have a wonderfully relaxing day!

Daily Prophet, Issue 2

Hello, everyone!

We only have a little less than a week to go before the swap begins. I can definitely feel the excitement in the air. The halls are bustling with activitiy! Please make sure that you use this time to get acquainted with each other. I've already read some interesting stories on the blogs of new and returning students. Your house will not receive points for blogging until the swap begins, but you might as well begin your blogging regimen now.

Early House Points
You can earn some early House points by writing up an advertisement on your muggle blogs. You must include a link to the Main HSKS Site and the HSKS 5 logo. The idea is that we'll be able to attract more muggles to the swap if they read your blogs.

Almost a Full House
I will continue to keep track of the House numbers in the post below this one. It is exciting to see the evenness of the House numbers. This will ensure that Quidditch will truly be exciting this term!

Dueling Club
You will be able to sign up for the Dueling Club one week after the swap begins. Please see the Dueling Club page for more information on what this activity entails.

Announcement Mail
Please see the link to the left. I am asking that everyone joins this mailing list, which I will use to make school-wide announcements. A few of you have already joined - thank you! Now the rest of you must follow suit.

Daily Prophet, Issue 1

Welcome to all the returning students!!

It is so good to see the students settling in the halls after our brief break. I hope that you all enjoyed your break and are ready for more learning. This term promises to be the best yet.

You will notice that several students have been given a Inter-House Unity Scholarship and have decided to switch houses. I am very proud of those that have decided to step out of their comfort zone a little to experience new things from the eyes of a different House. I'm sure this will liven up all the Common Rooms this year, no? Please be sure to make the new students feel welcome when they begin arriving in a couple of days.

Thanks
I also want to welcome and thank all of the new and returning prefects and head girls. I couldn't run HSKS so efficiently without you. Special thanks to Cecilia Kettleburn, who has used her talents and resources to provide hosting for the new site as well as conjuring the registration form for you all to use. Well done!

I am extremely grateful for all the angels that came forth last term. We needed a few more than we were expecting, so I am very grateful. I am more than grateful for my Deputy Headmistress. She gives her heart to her house and does her best to make sure that everyone in Hogwarts is taken care of. You are all awesome!

Dueling Club
Many of you have expressed your concern that this option was not available on your registration form Not to worry! I think we might have a seperate form available for that in a couple of weeks after everyone gets settled in.

New Students
The portkey for your registration will be available here, on the HSKS 5 blog, on Thursday, May 1st at:

9 p.m. PST
12 a.m. EST
5 a.m. U.K. time

Posting on This Blog
Everyone will receive their invitation to be able to post on this blog on Monday, May 5th.